Motivation!

What's your motivator? How do you keep yourself motivated on finishing a project?

I have been trying to do an assignment for my business course for the last 6 months but I have had issues with the administration of my course and feeling like I'm getting no support through this. But last week that all changed I was invited to an online meet up at one of their campuses and I took the opportunity to go. This was exciting as the moment I walked in the door I felt welcome and invited to participate. I was able to get the information I needed and deal with what was required. I finally felt like I was supported again and I was hanging around on the side with no help. It's amazing what that does for my ability to actually finish my assignment and move onto the next unit. I am finished the assignment TODAY!!! WOOHOO!!!!

This also goes for crafts as well. It's sometimes hard to find motivation to actually complete something not just keep starting endless projects.I was good for a while going to a craft group once a week and enjoying the company and talking about projects. I found I actually got stuff done particularly those finishing tasks that keep getting put off. Of course when craft group got cancelled I had all sorts of plans to use the time and the chance to get out my sewing machine. Then plans get lazy and when you're by yourself nothing gets achieved well nothing when I have all day to do something I procrastinate all day and then wonder where my day went.

Recently Cate from Life Behind the Purple Door my partner's sister, asked me to join her for our own craft group which I jumped at! Though not always achieving much every Wednesday I do find that I get something done. This last Wednesday I did achieve something small. I worked for 4 hours on my assignment and then I did a row of crochet which is more than I've done for a while. Working with other people is such a major motivator.
 

You can see my post about my progress here

It's wonderful having help to keep you motivated. So here are my goals for the next month for EVERYONE to read so that you can all be my motivators and keep me on track.

1. Start and Finish another unit of my course in 3 weeks like I am meant to.
2. Do another 2 colour rotations on my blanket. So this is at least 24 colours. This is doable by the end of October.
3. Finish the square on Baroque that I'm currently working on.
4. Start the Christmas gifts. I think I know what I'm making this year and I need to get them started or else no one is getting anything!
5. Post every Wednesday at least with a summary of my on the go projects. 

I think these are good goals for this month. SO by the end of October I should have these completed. That is my plan and this is my motivation... all of you lovely peeps and your kind words!

 SO What is your motivator?

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

Work In Progress Wednesday

Well I haven't achieved too much today but I have done something. I've done another colour and a bit on my blanket since last week.

I have been busy though today and have been doing some of my assignment and I'm getting closer to finishing which kinda still makes it a WIP but not one I can really show you or that you would be interested in.

 I added the dark green today and started the dark purple.

 It feels great to be making progress however slow.

I also have a little bit of progress on Baroque by Ink Circles.

It's not much but it's better than nothing. Little bit by little bit I will get there. I need to get myself motivated.

Hope you enjoy my little bit of progress.
You can see more pictures at the moment if you follow me on Instagram, it's so much easier to post photos quickly there as my phone posts to Instagram but I need my computer to post blogs. Anyway my name is NaughtsCrossStitches on Instagram which you can enjoy.

ETA: I linked up to an Australian WIP link up. Join up if you want to.

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

Life update

Well I have been quite busy this past week though I can't claim to have any cross stitch finished or even done this past week. That would require being organised.

First I'll start with the bad news, well kind of bad. We were in a fender bender accident on the weekend. Someone ran up the back of my car. So I am spending my week running around trying to organise the quotes and insurance. Thankfully it is just the back panels of my car and everyone is alright. Though 5 minutes up the road someone else ran us off the road, again no one was hurt and thankfully this time the car didn't get hurt either.

But on better news I had a performance on the Sunday and it went really really well. After the performance we managed to get to the Redcliffe Kite Fest.

 There were some amazing kites on display up in the air.

The kids were fascinated and loved looking at all the cool kites. They also enjoyed the rides and making wax dipped candles.

To make myself feel better about an assessment for my car that I had to go to today I bought a couple of new magazines.... actually it was the owl on the front cover that did it for me.

I love this newsagent! They had a shelf full of the little books that come on the front of magazines. It was great as I was able to get a Joan Elliott magazine and a couple of other little designs. I may have to torture my family and stitch them all purple shiny ornaments for Christmas this year! Though none of them would be perfectly happy as no one likes purple like me.... maybe then I can keep them all??

Oh and that cute little owl sitting on the front of the magazine...

Well it was just begging to be started so here he is... though I will say the yarn is awful to work with but it looks soooooo cute already! and there is enough yarn to make another one if I want.

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

Witches Brew

Halloween is one of those holidays I normally ignore. We don't celebrate it much in Australia and finding places to Trick or Treat over here is very hard. But I do love witches. Actually I've been hooked on Charmed recently and thoroughly enjoying watching season 1 again.

Because I could I made a little sampler cross stitch pattern for Halloween celebrating a Witches Brew. I love the bright colours of this one and the cute little witch in her purple robe. I had lots of fun today finishing the pattern and stitching up the main part today. I might just leave it as it is.

You can find that pattern over at my ETSY shop

Here is a photo of the full pattern it's a gorgeous little sampler.

I will probably end up stitching the whole design eventually.


Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

I couldn't resist

Well ... for those that read my blog often enough you wouldn't be surprised about this at all. I couldn't resist starting the basket pattern!

But at least I can say I didn't add a WIP to my pile I also managed a finish over the weekend. So now I can present to you my Handy Basket.

I used a 10ply acrylic I bought a couple of months ago thinking to use it to make some more gloves but that never happened. Though I did try starting them a couple of times.

 I paired it with an 8 ply acrylic because it said to use 2 strands and I used a 5mm crochet hook. I love how it turned out. So gorgeous ... I love the colours this yarn is so pretty but it was very scratchy to use and I'm glad I didn't make gloves out of it.

As you can see it is already in use holding my keys by the door so I don't have to search for them anymore.

What have you finished recently?
Happy Stitching,
Caitlin